6.2 quake hits near Oaxaca, Mexico

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake erupted in southern Mexico today, 80 miles west-southwest of Oaxaca, causing high rise buildings to sway as far away as Mexico City. The quake hit at 2:28 a.m. PDT, releasing energy felt from Acapulco to Veracruz, the U.S. Geological Survey says. The energy spread part of the way up Baja California but was not felt in San Diego, which is more than 1,400 miles from the epicenter.

Seismologists said the quake began 12 miles deep, which is normal for that region of Mexico.

Tomas Herrera Sanchez, a police officer in Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, told AP, "It felt strong, very strong. There are people who got scared and left their houses," but there were no immediate reports of damage, he said.